PACKAGED POWDER COMPOSITION FOR BAKERY

Description

Field of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to a new packaged product for bakery industry comprising a stable powdered composition, said powdered composition comprising active yeast(s) and a bread improvement composition, and a bread flavour composition. The present invention also relates to its use and a process for its preparation.

Back ground of the invention

[0002] Currently, many bakery ingredients (salt, flour, yeasts, enzymes, aromas, etc) are dosed separately. There are several disadvantages coupled therewith.

[0003] Separate dosing increases the risk of faults as well as the labor costs incurred with said dosing. In case of powdered products, the investments in separate dosing are further significantly higher compared to a single dosing system since all screws, all motors and automation has to be multiplied by the number of separate dosing points. Powdered dosing systems are also less accurate, or they require huge investments for automation. The dust production due to the dosing of powdered products is an increasing problem in the bakery due to its allergic properties. In terms of waste disposal, separate packaging will generate much more waste compared to an all in-one solution. Separate products increase the number of stock keeping units, complicating the logistic organization of the bakery as well as a decreased working capital due to immobilization of capital into stocks.

[0004] For these reasons, ready-to-use sourdough base compositions have been developed and liquid sourdough base compositions have entered the market as bakery ingredients.

[0005] There are many attempts to supply the yeasts together with chemical additives (or dough conditioners) such as oxidizing and reducing agents, emulsifiers, fatty materials, enzymes, etc (also referred to as improvers).

[0006] EP 0619947 for instance, describes the coformulation of yeasts and improvers, and proposes to solve the problem of the instability of the composition by extruding the mixture.

[0007] EP 1090553 and the parent patent EP 0659344 describe a composition where the bread-improving agent has the same particle size as the dry yeast, which is in granular form. An alternative consists of coating the dry yeast granules with the bread-improving agent, in the form of a film or adhered particles.

[0008] GB 1 230 205 relates to active dried baker's yeast, optionally containing one or more wetting agents, and to a process of preparing the same. The dried yeast is packed in a container under greatly reduced pressure or a nitrogen atmosphere.

[0009] WO03/090543 relates to dry yeast compositions comprising 69-97.7 wt % yeast (as yeast dry matter) and 0.1-10 wt % of a salt of C12-C24 fatty acid and 0-5 wt % of a formulation aid and 0-10 wt % of a dough or bread improving processing aid (all based on the total weight of the composition) and 2-8 wt % water (based on the weight of the yeast dry matter); as well as processes for the preparation of such compositions.

[0010] US 4,328,250 relates to a dry yeast composition in particulate form containing at least 92% dry matter, prepared with active dry bakers' yeast capable of fermenting sweetened doughs containing more than 5% sugar and an emulsifying agent having an HLB value of between 3 and 11. The conditioning is made under vacuum or under inert atmosphere.

[0011] But these proposed solutions involve further steps in the process and further equipments. Moreover, they do not solve another problem encountered when the mix of dry yeast and improvers (such as emulsifiers) is packed under vacuum: the product tends to make a bloc, difficult to break (referred to as the caking).

Summary of the invention

[0012] It was found that it was possible to combine or admix a dough conditioner composition with active yeast(s) in a powdered formulation, and a bread flavour improvement composition, and optionally salt, to obtain a powdered composition which is stable when packaged under inert atmosphere, with a volume ratio "inert atmosphere / powdered composition" comprised between 50/50 and 5/95 preferably comprised between 30/70 and 5/95 and more preferably comprised between 10/90 and 5/95.

[0013] The present invention also relates to the use of a (bakery) product of the invention (powdered composition packaged under inert atmosphere, with a volume ratio "inert atmosphere / powdered composition" comprised between 50/50 and 5/95, preferably comprised between 30/70 and 5/95, and more preferably comprised between 10/90 and 5/95) for the preparation of bread, cake, biscuits, pastries, snacks, pizza, etc.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of a powdered composition of active yeast(s), improvers and a bread flavour improvement composition, wherein said flavour improvement composition comprises a sourdough product, a sponge product, or a mixture thereof, packaged under inert atmosphere, wherein the volume ratio "inert atmosphere / powdered composition" is comprised between 50/50 and 5/95, preferably comprised between 30/70 and 5/95, and more preferably comprised between 10/90 and 5/95.

[0015] More particularly, the present invention provides a (bakery) product comprising a powdered composition (1) that comprises an improver composition, an active yeast and a bread flavour improvement composition, wherein said flavour improvement composition comprises a sourdough product, a sponge product, or a mixture thereof, said powdered composition (1) being packaged into a container (3), the headspace (2) of which, after sealing, consists essentially of at least 5% of inert atmosphere, based on the total volume of said container (3).

[0016] In a (bakery) product according to the invention said powdered composition may further comprise (a) flavour improvement compound(s) and/or salt.

[0017] Preferably, said improver composition comprises:

• one or more enzymes selecting from the group consisting of amylases, xylanases, lipases, oxidases, dehydrogenases, laccases and proteases, and/or
• one or more oxidizing or reducing agents, and/or
• one or more emulsifiers, and/or
• one or more fatty materials, and/or
• one or more vitamins, and/or
• one or more sources of fibre, or
• a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0018] Preferably, said flavour improvement compound(s) comprise(s) one or more natural aroma compounds, one or more chemical aroma compounds, one or more acids and/or one or more acidifying agents, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0019] Preferably, said inert atmosphere consists of nitrogen, argon, helium, or carbon dioxide, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0020] Preferably, said flavour improvement composition and said active yeast have a dry matter of minimum 94 %.

[0021] Preferably, the residual oxygen content is less than 2%, based on the gas-phase volume in the container, after sealing.

[0022] Preferably, the residual humidity content is less than 6%, based on the weight of said powdered composition.

[0023] Preferably, said container is a multilayer based films impermeable to oxygen and to humidity.

[0024] The present invention also provides a process for the preparation of a (bakery) product comprising the steps of:

• admixing an improver composition and an active yeast, both in powder form,
• adding a bread flavour improvement composition in powder form, wherein the flavour improvement composition comprises a sourdough product, a sponge product or a mixture thereof,
• optionally adding (a) bread flavour improvement compound(s) in powder form,
• optionally adding salt,
• filling a container with the resulting powdered composition, and
• sealing said container under inert atmosphere, while leaving a headspace of at least 5% based on the volume of said container, said headspace consisting essentially of said inert atmosphere.

[0025] Preferably, in a process of the invention, said improver composition comprises:

• one or more enzymes selecting from the group consisting of amylases, xylanases, lipases, oxidases and proteases, and/or
• one or more oxidizing or reducing agents, and/or
• one or more emulsifiers, and/or
• one or more fatty materials, and/or
• one or more vitamins,
• One or more sources of fibre, or
• a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0026] Preferably, in a process of the invention, said inert atmosphere consists of nitrogen, argon, helium, or carbon dioxide, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0027] The present invention also relates to the use of a (bakery) product of the invention (powdered composition packaged under inert atmosphere, wherein the volume ratio "inert atmosphere / powdered composition" is comprised between 50/50 and 5/95, preferably comprised between 30/70 and 5/95, and more preferably comprised between 10/90 and 5/95) for the preparation of bread, cake, biscuits, pastries, snacks or pizzas.

Description of the figures

[0028] Figure 1 represents a (bakery) product of the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

[0029] The term "flavour improvement system", "flavour improvement composition", "bread flavour improvement composition" refer to a sourdough or a sourdough product; a bakery sponge or a sponge product.

[0030] The terms "(bread) flavour (improvement) compounds" and "(bread) flavour (improvement) substances" refer to substances added in relation to the flavour, such as natural and/or chemical aroma compounds, acids or acidifying agents (producing acid and/or gas), or a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0031] The term "sourdough" refers to a dough fermented by lactic acid bacteria and/or yeast(s), having a characteristic acidic flavour due to the lactic acid bacteria producing mainly lactic acid, acetic acid and some minor compounds and/or the typical flavour top-notes produced by the yeast(s).

[0032] The term "sourdough product" refers to the product above, that is stabilized in one or another way (e.g. through drying, pasteurization, cooling, freezing, etc ) so that this product can be added to a regular dough, thereby replacing the in-bakery produced pre-fermentation.

[0033] The term "sponge" refers to a dough fermented by yeast(s), having a characteristic flavour due to said yeast(s) fermentation. It is a pre-fermentation product based on a yeast fermentation of part of the flour.

[0034] The term "sponge product" refers to the stabilized form of such a regular bakery sponge fermentation, used to enhance the flavour in a regular dough. It can be a sponge extract.

[0035] The terms "bread improvement system", "bread improvement composition", "dough conditioner composition", "(bread) improver composition" and "improver(s)" refer to one or more substances or compositions added to the dough in order to improve dough handling properties and/or quality of the final baked product. These substances can be enzymes or (chemical) additives such as oxidizing/reducing agents, emulsifiers, fatty materials, vitamins, etc.

[0036] There is a wide range of enzymes that can be used for bread improvement purposes, such as amylases, xylanases, lipases, oxidases (e.g. glucose oxidase, carbohydrate oxidase, hexose oxidase, etc), proteases, dehydrogenases, laccases, and others described as such in the literature and patents.

[0037] In the context of the present invention, the term "bakery product" refers to a "product for bakery industry".

[0038] The present invention relates to a (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) comprising (or consisting of) a powdered composition that comprises an improver composition, a flavour improvement composition, wherein the flavour improvement composition comprises a sourdough product, a sponge product, or a mixture thereof, and active yeast(s), said powdered composition being packaged under inert atmosphere with a volume ratio (inert atmosphere / powdered composition) comprised between 50/50 and 5/95, preferably between 30/70 and 5/95, and more preferably between 10/90 and 5/95.

[0039] A (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) of the invention comprises (or consists of) a powdered composition that comprises an improver composition, a flavour improvement composition, wherein the flavour improvement composition comprises a sourdough product, a sponge product, or a mixture thereof, and active yeast(s), said powdered composition being packaged into a container, the headspace of which, after sealing, consisting essentially of at least 5% of inert atmosphere based on the total volume of said container. The remaining volume is occupied by the said powdered composition.

[0040] A product for bakery industry of the invention may also be defined as comprising (or consisting of) a container and a powdered composition, said powdered composition comprising an improver composition, a flavour improvement composition, wherein the flavour improvement composition comprises a sourdough product, a sponge product, or a mixture thereof, and active yeast, wherein the headspace of said container, after sealing, consists (essentially) of at least 5% of inert atmosphere, based on the total volume of said container.

[0041] In a (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) of the invention a powdered composition may further comprise a flavour improvement composition and/or (a) flavour improvement compound(s) and/or salt.

[0042] The improver composition used in a (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) of the invention, can comprise or consist of:

• one or more enzymes selecting from the group consisting of amylases, xylanases, lipases, oxidases, proteases, dehydrogenases and laccases, and/or
• one or more oxidizing or reducing agents such as ascorbic acid, glutathione, cystein, and/or
• one or more emulsifiers, such as DATEM^①, SSL^①, CSL^①, GMS^①, rhamnolipids, lecithines, sucroesters, bile salts, and/or
• one or more fatty materials, e.g. margarin, butter, oil, and/or
• one or more vitamins, e.g. pantothenic acid, vitamin E, and/or
• one or more sources of fibre, e.g. oat fibre.

[0043] It may also consist of a mixture of two or more of the listed components.

[0044] The flavour improvement composition used in a (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) of the invention comprises or consists of (in their powder form) a sourdough product or a sponge product, or a mixture thereof.

[0045] The flavour improvement compounds used in a (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) of the invention, can comprise or consist of one or more natural aroma compounds, one or more chemical aroma compounds, one or more acids and/or one or more acidifying agents (producing acid and/or gas), or a mixture of two or more thereof.

[0046] In the context of the present invention, the term "headspace" refers to the volume left at the top of the almost filled container before or after sealing.

[0047] In a (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) of the invention, the headspace of the container may consists of 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20% or 15% of inert atmosphere based on the total volume of said container. The remaining volume occupied by the said powdered composition is thus respectively 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80% or 85% based on the total volume of said container.

[0048] In a preferred (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) of the invention, the headspace of the container consists of more than 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6% or more than 5% of inert atmosphere based on the total volume of said container.

[0049] In a preferred (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) of the invention, the headspace of the container consists of 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6% or 5% of inert atmosphere based on the total volume of said container, and the remaining volume occupied with respectively 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94% or 95% of said powdered composition based on the total volume of said container.

[0050] The active yeast preferably used in a (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) of the present invention is Instant Active Dry Yeast, which is active yeast having a dry matter of minimum 94 %, and packed under vacuum.

[0051] The inert atmosphere used in a (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) of the invention can consist of any non reactive gas, or gas that has a high threshold before it reacts, such as nitrogen, argon, helium, or carbon dioxide, or a mixture of two or more thereof. Nitrogen is preferred in the framework of the present invention.

[0052] The term "essentially" means that the inert atmosphere used in a (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) of the invention may contain oxygen referred to as the residual oxygen content.

[0053] In a preferred (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) of the invention, the residual oxygen content is less than 5% based on the gas-phase volume in the container, after sealing.

[0054] In a more preferred (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) of the invention, the residual oxygen content is less than 2%, preferably less than 1% and more preferably less than 0,5% based on the gas-phase volume in the container, after sealing.

[0055] The container preferably used in a (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) of the present invention is any multilayer based films designed for food applications.

[0056] Said container (or packaging means) may have different forms, and more particularly can be a bag.

[0057] Said container may comprise (or consists of) polyester, aluminium and polyethylene.

[0058] The polyester can allow the printing, and the polyethylene can allow the sealing at high temperature.

[0059] The aluminium acts as oxygen barrier.

[0060] Preferably, said container comprises 17 g/m² of polyester, 19 g/m² of aluminium and 92 g/m² of polyethylene.

[0061] There is no need to add a polyamide layer which is usually used for packing under vacuum.

[0062] Preferably, said container (or bag) has a thickness of 119 microns. It is thicker than the packaging means usually used for active dried yeast, which is about 106 microns.

[0063] Advantageously, said container further comprises an easy opening system, i.e. a system (or means) provided for opening said container (e.g. a bag) without any cutting material. Said easy opening system may result from a special coating system applied only on a specific area where the sealing will be done.

[0064] Said container must be impermeable to oxygen and to humidity.

[0065] Indeed, the residual humidity must be kept as low as possible. In a preferred (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) of the invention, the residual humidity is less than 10%, preferably less than 6% and more preferably less than 5% based on the weight of the powdered composition.

[0066] A (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) according to the present invention can be stored for a long time at ambient temperature.

[0067] In a (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) according to the present invention, the bread improvement composition is sufficiently stable and the results in dough and/or bread improvement properties are comparable to those obtained when the components are each dosed separately, even after 12 months of storage. Moreover the yeast remains sufficiently stable and shows a gassing production capacity comparable to any regular instant active dry yeast.

[0068] The present invention also relates to a process for the preparation of a (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) comprising the steps of (or consisting of):

• admixing an improver composition and active yeast(s), both in powder form,
• adding a bread flavour improvement composition in powder form, wherein said flavour improvement composition comprises a sourdough product, a sponge product, or a mixture thereof,
• optionally adding (a) bread flavour improvement compound(s) in powder form,
• optionally adding salt,
• filling a container with the resulting powdered composition, and
• sealing said container under inert atmosphere, preferably nitrogen, with a volume ratio, inert atmosphere / powdered composition, comprised between 50/50 and 5/95, preferably between 30/70 and 5/95, and more preferably between 10/90 and 5/95.

[0069] In a process of the invention, the container is sealed under inert atmosphere, preferably under nitrogen, so that a headspace of at least 5% based on the total volume of said container is left. The headspace, after sealing, contains essentially inert atmosphere, preferably nitrogen, and the remaining volume is occupied by the said powdered composition.

[0070] In a process of the invention, the headspace of the container may consists of 50%, 45%, 40%, 35%, 30%, 25%, 20% or 15% of inert atmosphere based on the total volume of said container. The remaining volume occupied by the said powdered composition is thus respectively 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80% or 85% based on the total volume of said container.

[0071] In a preferred process of the invention, the headspace of the container consists of more than 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6% or more than 5% of inert atmosphere based on the total volume of said container.

[0072] In a preferred process of the invention, the headspace of the container consists of 10%, 9%, 8%, 7%, 6% or 5% of inert atmosphere based on the total volume of said container, and the remaining volume occupied with respectively about 90%, 91%, 92%, 93%, 94% or 95% of said powdered composition based on the total volume of said container.

[0073] The headspace may also contain less than 5% oxygen based on the gas-phase volume in the container, after sealing. This oxygen content is referred to as the residual oxygen content.

[0074] In a preferred process of the invention, the residual oxygen content is less than 2%, preferably less than about 1% and more preferably less than 0,5% based on the gas-phase volume in the container, after sealing.

[0075] The container can be any container designed for food applications, impermeable to oxygen and humidity.

[0076] A preferred container is made of multilayer laminate films with barriers against oxygen and humidity.

[0077] The powdered composition in a (bakery) product (or a product for bakery industry) of the invention can be used as a powdered leaven composition and/or for the preparation of bread, cake, biscuits, pastries, snacks, pizza, etc.

[0078] The invention will be described in further details in the following examples, which are intended for illustration purposes only, and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention in any way.

EXAMPLES

Example 1

[0079] A sourdough product, i.e. a stabilized dough fermented by lactic acid bacteria and/or yeast, is dried and put into powder form. The residual humidity content is 5% based on the weight of the sourdough. In other words, the dry matter of the sourdough is 95%.

[0080] In parallel, a bread improver composition is prepared by blending:

• Ascorbic acid, and
• Enzymes: Bel'ase A75^① which is a fungal amylase (BELDEM, Belgium) and Bel'ase B210^①, which is a bacterial xylanase (BELDEM, Belgium).

[0081] The components mentioned above, together with yeast, which consists of instant active dry yeast with a 96% dry matter, and salt, are transferred into a container.

[0082] The proportions of the different components used in the powdered composition are summarised in Table 1.

Table 1.

Components	Proportion (1)	Proportion (2)
Sourdough	533.2	535.2
Instant active dry yeast	129.15	129.15
Ascorbic acid	1.5	1.5
Bel'ase B210 (Beldem, BELGIUM)	0.5	0.5
Bel'ase A75 (Beldem, BELGIUM)	0.25	0.25
Salt	333.4	333.4
Total	998	1000

[0083] The powdered sourdough, the yeast, salt and improvers are sealed, under nitrogen, in a container (a multilayer based films with barriers against oxygen and humidity), so that a headspace of 5% based on the volume of said container is left, filled with the nitrogen. The residual oxygen content is 1% based on the gas-phase volume in the container.

Example 2

[0084] A stability follow-up is made by preparing a dough using the (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) of the invention, prepared according to example 1, which has been stored at 47°C during seven days. These storage conditions are considered to reflect the stability of the yeast for a period of two years.

[0085] The dough consists of 280 g of flour, 162 ml of water and 6% - based on the weight of the flour - of the powdered composition of the (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) of the invention after 7 days of storage at 47°C. The temperature of the water is 30°C. The ingredients are mixed during six minutes, with the temperature of the dough maintained at 30°C.

[0086] Comparative tests are also performed by preparing different sets of dough with compositions (having the same ingredients as the (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) of the invention, in the same proportions) kept for different period of time, in different storage conditions, as described in Table 2.

Table 2.

Conditions	Ref n°
Open pack stored at 4°C	1
Closed pack under vacuum stored at 4°C	2
Open pack stored at 20°C	3
Closed pack under vacuum stored at 20°C	4
Closed pack under vacuum stored at 47°C	5
Bakery product of example 1 stored at 47°C	6

[0087] The results of the comparative tests are summarized in Table 3.

Table 3

		Ref. n°
Storage period		1	2	3	4	5	6
Day 0	Volume (%)	100	100	100	100	100	100
Day 7	Volume (%)	100	93	94	97	95	94
Day 21	Volume (%)	98	97	97	100
Day 35	Volume (%)	98	96	92	103
Day 63	Volume (%)	96	98	79	102

"Volume (%)" refers to the volume of baked product in relative percentage against the bread volume measured at day 0.

[0088] From the results summarized in Table 3, it can be concluded that the powdered composition of the bakery product of the invention is very stable.

[0089] After two years-equivalent of storage, the gassing power activity has been measured (carrying out a commonly used baking process, known from the skilled person, in which the volume obtained is directly correlated to the gassing power of the yeast) at 95%, which is considered as stable for a normal instant active dry yeast.

[0090] After 2 years-equivalent of storage, the percentage obtained with the powdered composition of a bakery product of example 1 is very similar to the one obtained when the powdered composition is packaged under vacuum. But after these 2 years-equivalent of storage, the powdered composition of a bakery product of the invention has a better powder structure compared to the powdered composition packaged under vacuum.

Example 3

[0091] A powdered composition is prepared by admixing:

• A sourdough product produced by blending the above mentioned ingredients. The sourdough is dried and put into powder form. The residual humidity content is 5% based on the weight of the sourdough. In other words, the dry matter of the sourdough is 95%,
• instant active dry yeast with a 96% dry matter,
• hydrolysed proteins,
• Ascorbic acid,
• Enzymes: Bel'ase A75^① which is a fungal amylase (BELDEM, Belgium) and Bel'ase B210^①, which is a bacterial xylanase (BELDEM, Belgium), and
• Salt.

[0092] The proportions of the different components used in the powdered composition are summarised in Table 4.

Table 4

Compound	Proportion	Proportion
Sourdough	458,33	460,33
Instant active dry yeast	154.02	154.02
Ascorbic acid	1.5	1.5
Bel'ase B210 (Beldem, BELGIUM)	0.5	0.5
Bel'ase A75 (Beldem, BELGIUM)	0.25	0.25
Hydrolysed proteins	50	50
Salt	333.4	333.4
Total	998	1000

[0093] The powdered composition is sealed, under nitrogen, in a container (a multilayer based films with barriers against oxygen and humidity), so that a headspace of 5% based on the volume of said container is left, filled with the nitrogen. The residual oxygen content is 1% based on the gas-phase volume in the container.

Example 4 - Not according to the invention

[0094] Another powdered composition is prepared by admixing:

• instant active dry yeast with a 96% dry matter,
• an emulsifier: Multec SSL 3000^①,
• Ascorbic acid,
• Enzymes: Bel'ase A75^① which is a fungal amylase (BELDEM, Belgium) and Bel'ase B210^①, which is a bacterial xylanase (BELDEM, Belgium), and

[0095] The proportions of the different components used in the powdered composition are summarised in Table 5.

Table 5

Compound	Proportion
Multec SSL 3000®	200
Instant active dry yeast	787.3
Ascorbic acid	9
Bel'ase B210 (Beldem, BELGIUM)	3
Bel'ase A75 (Beldem, BELGIUM)	0.7
Total	1000

[0096] The powdered composition is sealed, under nitrogen, in a container (a multilayer based films with barriers against oxygen and humidity), so that a headspace of 5% based on the volume of said container is left, filled with the nitrogen. The residual oxygen content is 1% based on the gas-phase volume in the container.

Example 5 - Not according to the invention

[0097] Bread is baked following the recipe described below.

[0098] Each dough consists of 2000 units of flour, 1280 units of water, 40 units of salts and 0,75% - based on the weight of the flour - of the powdered composition of the (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) of example 4, after storage at 20°C for different period of time. The temperature of the water is 18°C. The ingredients are mixed during two minutes, then six minutes, with the temperature of the dough maintained at 29,4°C.

[0099] A comparative test is performed by preparing:

• Different sets of dough with a composition (having the same ingredients as the (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) of Example 4, in the same proportions) packaged under vacuum, and stored also for different period of time, and
• another set of dough with all the ingredients put separately.

[0100] The following observations, as summarized in Table 6, were made when the dough was prepared with a powdered composition that was stored for different period of time, in different conditions.

Table 6

		Conditions
Storage period		(1)	(2)	(3)
Day 0	Volume (ml)	2775	2765	2765
3 months	Volume (ml)	2825	2750	2760
6 months	Volume (ml)	2900	2745	2750
9 months	Volume (ml)	2775	2750	2745
12 months	Volume (ml)	2775	2750	2760

(1) All ingredients used separately (2) composition packaged under vacuum and stored at 20°C (3) powdered composition of the (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) prepared according to example 4, stored at 20°C

[0101] From Table 6, it can be derived that the powdered composition of the (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) of Example 4 is stable.

[0102] After 12 months of storage, the volume obtained with the powdered composition of a (bakery) product (or product for bakery industry) of example 4 is slightly better than the one obtained when the powdered composition is packaged under vacuum. And it could be noticed after 12 months of storage that the powdered composition packaged under vacuum had the tendency to form a block, losing its powder form. To the contrary, the powdered composition of a bakery product of example 4 had kept its powder structure.

Example 6

[0103] A powdered composition is prepared by admixing:

• a sourdough product (dough fermented by lactic acid bacteria and/or yeast, dried and put into powder form) with a residual humidity content of 5% based on the weight of the sourdough,
• instant active dry yeast with a 96% dry matter,
• hydrolysed proteins,
• Ascorbic acid, and
• Enzymes: Bel'ase A75^① which is a fungal amylase (BELDEM, Belgium) and Bel'ase B210^①, which is a bacterial xylanase (BELDEM, Belgium).

[0104] The proportions of the different components used in the powdered composition are summarised in Table 7.

Table 7

Compound	Proportion
Sourdough	690,51
Instant active dry yeast	231,11
Ascorbic acid	2,25
Bel'ase B210 (Beldem, BELGIUM)	0,75
Bel'ase A75 (Beldem, BELGIUM)	0,38
Hydrolysed proteins	75
Total	1000

[0105] The powdered composition is sealed, under nitrogen, in a container (a multilayer based films with barriers against oxygen and humidity), so that a headspace of 5% based on the volume of said container is left, filled with the nitrogen. The residual oxygen content is 1% based on the gas-phase volume in the container.

[0106] In fact the powdered composition is the same as described in example 3 the salt excepted (there is no salt added in the present example).

[0107] It has been observed that the absence (or presence) of salt does not influence the stability of the powdered composition packaged under inert atmosphere according to the invention (for instance after being stored at 47°C during 7 days) : the results obtained, having regard to the volume (%) measured such as in example 2 or 7, were very similar for powdered compositions, with or without salt, packaged under inert atmosphere according to the invention.

[0108] Indeed, the salt can be added while preparing the dough.

Example 7

[0109] A stability follow-up is made by preparing doughs using two products for bakery industry of the invention, prepared according to examples 1 and 3, which have been stored at 47°C during 1 week.

[0110] Storage conditions at 47°C during 1 week are considered to reflect the stability of the yeast for a period of two years.

[0111] Each dough consists of 280 g of flour, 162 ml of water and 6% - based on the weight of the flour - of a powdered composition of the products for bakery industry of the invention after 1 week. of storage at 47°C. The temperature of the water is 30°C. The ingredients are mixed during six minutes, with the temperature of each dough maintained at 30°C.

[0112] Comparative tests are also performed by preparing in parallel two sets of dough having the same ingredients, in the same proportions, wherein the powdered compositions are stored in different conditions at 20°C during 1 week, 2 weeks, etc..

[0113] The results of the comparative tests are summarized in Table 8.

Table 8

Storage period		Open pack at room T°	Product of ex. 1	Open pack at room T°	Product of ex. 3
week 0	Volume (%)		100%	100%	100%
Week 1	Volume (%)		95%	86%	97%
Week 2	Volume (%)	98%			100%
Week 3	Volume (%)	96%	98%		100%
Week 4	Volume (%)	95%	93%	77%
Week 5	Volume (%)	91%			96%
Week 6	Volume (%)	85%		79%	90%
Week 7	Volume (%)	83%	96%	75%
Week 8	Volume (%)
Week 9	Volume (%)	78%		80%	90%
Week 10	Volume (%)
Week 11	Volume (%)	75%	95%	64%	94%
Week 12	Volume (%)
Week 13	Volume (%)
Week 14	Volume (%)
Week 15	Volume (%)	38%	93%	58%	92%
Week 16	Volume (%)
Week 17	Volume (%)	19%		51%
Week 18	Volume (%)
Week 19	Volume (%)
Week 20	Volume (%)		90%	47%

"Volume (%)" refers to the volume of baked product in relative percentage against the bread volume measured at day 0.

[0114] From the results summarized in Table 7, it can be concluded that the powdered composition of the bakery product of the invention is very stable.

[0115] After two years-equivalent of storage, the gassing power activity has been measured (carrying out a commonly used baking process, known from the skilled person, in which the volume obtained is directly correlated to the gassing power of the yeast) at 95% and 97% respectively for a powdered composition packaged under inert atmosphere according to example 1 and 3, which is considered as stable for a normal instant active dry yeast.

Claims

1. A product for bakery industry comprising a container (3) and a powdered composition (1), said powdered composition (1) comprising an improver composition, a flavour improvement composition and an active yeast, wherein the headspace (2) of said container (3), after sealing, consists of at least 5% of inert atmosphere, based on the total volume of said container (3), wherein said flavour improvement composition comprises a sourdough product, a sponge product, or a mixture thereof.

2. A product according to claim 1 wherein said powdered composition (1) further comprises (a) flavour improvement compound(s) and/or salt.

3. A product according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said improver composition comprises:

- one or more enzymes selected from the group consisting of amylases, xylanases, lipases, oxidases, dehydrogenases, laccases and proteases, and/or

- one or more oxidizing or reducing agents, and/or

- one or more emulsifiers, and/or

- one or more fatty materials, and/or

- one or more vitamins, and/or

- one or more sources of fibre, or

- a mixture of two or more thereof.

4. A product according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein said flavour improvement compound(s) comprise(s) one or more natural aroma compounds, one or more chemical aroma compounds, one or more acids and/or one or more acidifying agents, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

5. A product according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said inert atmosphere consists of nitrogen, argon, helium, or carbon dioxide, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

6. A product according to any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said flavour improvement composition and said active yeast have a dry matter of minimum 94 %.

7. A product according to any of claims 1 to 6, wherein the residual oxygen content is less than 2%, based on the gas-phase volume in the container, after sealing.

8. A product according to any of claims 1 to 7, wherein the residual humidity content is less than 6%, based on the weight of said powdered composition.

9. A product according to any of claims 1 to 8, wherein the container is a multilayer based films impermeable to oxygen and to humidity.

10. A process for the preparation of a product for bakery industry comprising the steps of:

- admixing an improver composition and an active yeast, both in powder form,

- adding a bread flavour improvement composition in powder form, wherein said flavour improvement composition comprises a sourdough product, a sponge product, or a mixture thereof,

- optionally adding (a) bread flavour improvement compound(s) in powder form,

- optionally adding salt,

- filling a container with the resulting powdered composition, and

- sealing said container under inert atmosphere, while leaving a headspace of at least 5% based on the volume of said container, said headspace consisting essentially of said inert atmosphere.

11. A process according to claim 10, wherein said improver composition comprises:

- one or more enzymes selected from the group consisting of amylases, xylanases, lipases, oxidases and proteases, and/or

- one or more oxidizing or reducing agents, and/or

- one or more emulsifiers, and/or

- one or more fatty materials, and/or

- one or more vitamins,

- one or more sources of fibre, or

- a mixture of two or more thereof.

12. A process according to any of claims 10 to 11, wherein said inert atmosphere consists of nitrogen, argon, helium, or carbon dioxide, or a mixture of two or more thereof.

13. Use of a product according to any of claims 1 to 9 for the preparation of bread, cake, biscuits, pastries, snacks or pizzas.

Ansprüche

1. Produkt für die Backwarenindustrie, umfassend einen Behälter (3) und eine pulverförmige Zusammensetzung (1), wobei die pulverförmige Zusammensetzung (1) eine Verbessererzusammensetzung, eine Geschmacksverbesserungszusammensetzung und eine Aktivhefe umfasst, wobei der Kopfraum (2) des Behälters (3) nach dem Verschließen aus mindestens 5 % inerter Atmosphäre besteht, basierend auf dem Gesamtvolumen des Behälters (3), wobei die Geschmacksverbesserungszusammensetzung ein Sauerteigprodukt, ein Biskuitprodukt oder ein Gemisch davon umfasst.

2. Produkt nach Anspruch 1, wobei die pulverförmige Zusammensetzung (1) ferner eine Geschmacksverbesserungsverbindung(en) und/oder Salz umfasst.

3. Produkt nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, wobei die Verbessererzusammensetzung umfasst:

- ein oder mehrere Enzyme, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Amylasen, Xylanasen, Lipasen, Oxidasen, Dehydrogenasen, Laccasen und Proteasen und/oder

- ein oder mehrere Oxidationsmittel oder Reduktionsmittel und/oder

- ein oder mehrere Emulgatoren und/oder

- eine oder mehrere Fettsubstanzen und/oder

- ein oder mehrere Vitamine und/oder

- ein oder mehrere Ballaststoffe oder

- ein Gemisch aus zwei oder mehreren davon.

4. Produkt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, wobei die Geschmacksverbesserungsverbindung(en) ein oder mehrere natürliche Aromaverbindungen, eine oder mehrere chemische Aromaverbindungen, eine oder mehrere Säuren und/oder eine oder mehrere Säuerungsmittel, oder ein Gemisch aus zwei oder mehreren davon umfasst (umfassen) .

5. Produkt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 4, wobei die inerte Atmosphäre aus Stickstoff, Argon, Helium oder Kohlendioxid oder einem Gemisch aus zwei oder mehreren davon besteht.

6. Produkt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 5, wobei die Geschmacksverbesserungszusammensetzung und die Aktivhefe eine Trockensubstanz von mindestens 94 % aufweisen.

7. Produkt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 6, wobei der Restsauerstoffgehalt nach dem Verschließen bei weniger als 2 % liegt, basierend auf dem Gasphasenvolumen im Behälter.

8. Produkt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 7, wobei der Restfeuchtegehalt bei weniger als 6 % liegt, basierend auf dem Gewicht der pulverförmigen Zusammensetzung.

9. Produkt nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 8, wobei der Behälter auf mehreren Schichten basierende Folien sind, die für Sauerstoff und Feuchtigkeit undurchlässig ist.

10. Verfahren zur Herstellung eines Produkts für die Backwarenindustrie, das die folgenden Schritte umfasst:

- Zumischen einer Verbessererzusammensetzung und einer Aktivhefe, beide in Pulverform,

- Zugeben einer Brotgeschmacksverbesserungszusammensetzung in Pulverform, wobei die Geschmacksverbesserungszusammensetzung ein Sauerteigprodukt, ein Biskuitprodukt oder ein Gemisch davon umfasst,

- optional Zugeben einer (von) Brotgeschmacksverbesserungsverbindung(en) in Pulverform,

- optional Zugeben von Salz,

- Befüllen eines Behälters mit der resultierenden pulverförmigen Zusammensetzung und

- Verschließen des Behälters unter inerter Atmosphäre, wobei ein Kopfraum von mindestens 5 %, basierend auf dem Volumen des Behälters, frei gelassen wird, wobei der Kopfraum im Wesentlichen aus der inerten Atmosphäre besteht.

11. Verfahren nach Anspruch 10, wobei die Verbessererzusammensetzung Folgendes umfasst:

- Ein oder mehrere Enzyme, ausgewählt aus der Gruppe bestehend aus Amylasen, Xylanasen, Lipasen, Oxidasen und Proteasen und/oder

- ein oder mehrere Oxidationsmittel oder Reduktionsmittel und/oder

- einen oder mehrere Emulgatoren und/oder

- eine oder mehrere Fettsubstanzen und/oder

- ein oder mehrere Vitamine,

- ein oder mehrere Ballaststoffe oder

- ein Gemisch aus zwei oder mehreren davon.

12. Verfahren nach einem der Ansprüche 10 bis 11, wobei die inerte Atmosphäre aus Stickstoff, Argon, Helium oder Kohlendioxid oder einem Gemisch aus zwei oder mehreren davon besteht.

13. Verwendung eines Produkts nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 9 zur Herstellung von Brot, Kuchen, Keksen, Gebäck, Snacks oder Pizzen.

Revendications

1. Produit pour l'industrie boulangère, comprenant un récipient (3) et une composition en poudre (1), ladite composition en poudre (1) comprenant une composition d'améliorant, une composition améliorant les propriétés organoleptiques et une levure active, dans lequel l'espace libre (2) dudit récipient (3), après scellage, est constitué d'au moins 5 % d'atmosphère inerte, sur la base du volume total dudit récipient (3), dans lequel ladite composition améliorant les propriétés organoleptiques comprend un produit de type levain, un produit de type levain-levure, ou un mélange de ceux-ci.

2. Produit selon la revendication 1, dans lequel ladite composition en poudre (1) comprend en outre un ou plusieurs composés améliorant les propriétés organoleptiques et/ou du sel.

3. Produit selon la revendication 1 ou 2, dans lequel ladite composition d'améliorant comprend :

- une ou plusieurs enzymes choisies dans le groupe constitué par les amylases, les xylanases, les lipases, les oxydases, les déshydrogénases, les laccases et les protéases, et/ou

- un ou plusieurs agents oxydants ou réducteurs, et/ou

- un ou plusieurs émulsifiants, et/ou

- une ou plusieurs matières grasses, et/ou

- une ou plusieurs vitamines, et/ou

- une ou plusieurs sources de fibres, ou

- un mélange de deux ou plus des précédents.

4. Produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, dans lequel ledit ou lesdits composés améliorant les propriétés organoleptiques comprennent un ou plusieurs composés aromatiques naturels, un ou plusieurs composés aromatiques chimiques, un ou plusieurs acides et/ou un ou plusieurs acidifiants, ou un mélange de deux ou plus des précédents.

5. Produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 4, dans lequel ladite atmosphère inerte est constituée d'azote, d'argon, d'hélium ou de dioxyde de carbone, ou d'un mélange de deux ou plus des précédents.

6. Produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5, dans lequel ladite composition améliorant les propriétés organoleptiques et ladite levure active ont une teneur en matière sèche de minimum 94 %.

7. Produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6, dans lequel la teneur en oxygène résiduelle est inférieure à 2 % par rapport au volume en phase gazeuse dans le récipient, après scellage.

8. Produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 7, dans lequel la teneur en humidité résiduelle est inférieure à 6 % par rapport au poids de ladite composition en poudre.

9. Produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8, dans lequel le récipient est constitué d'un film multicouche imperméable à l'oxygène et à l'humidité.

10. Procédé pour la préparation d'un produit pour l'industrie boulangère, comprenant les étapes consistant à :

- mélanger par adjonction une composition d'améliorant et une levure active, les deux sous forme pulvérulente,

- ajouter une composition améliorant les propriétés organoleptiques du pain, sous forme pulvérulente, dans lequel ladite composition améliorant les propriétés organoleptiques comprend un produit de type levain, un produit de type levain-levure, ou un mélange de ceux-ci,

- éventuellement ajouter un ou plusieurs composés améliorant les propriétés organoleptiques du pain, sous forme pulvérulente,

- éventuellement ajouter du sel,

- remplir un récipient avec la composition en poudre ainsi obtenue, et

- sceller le récipient, sous atmosphère inerte, tout en laissant un espace libre d'au moins 5 % par rapport au volume dudit récipient, ledit espace libre étant constitué essentiellement de ladite atmosphère inerte.

11. Procédé selon la revendication 10, dans lequel ladite composition d'améliorant comprend :

- une ou plusieurs enzymes choisies dans le groupe constitué par les amylases, les xylanases, les lipases, les oxydases et les protéases, et/ou

- un ou plusieurs agents oxydants ou réducteurs, et/ou

- un ou plusieurs émulsifiants, et/ou

- une ou plusieurs matières grasses, et/ou

- une ou plusieurs vitamines,

- une ou plusieurs sources de fibres, ou

- un mélange de deux ou plus des précédents.

12. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications 10 à 11, dans lequel ladite atmosphère inerte est constituée d'azote, d'argon, d'hélium, ou de dioxyde de carbone, ou d'un mélange de deux ou plus des précédents.

13. Utilisation d'un produit selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 9 pour la préparation de pain, gâteaux, biscuits, pâtisseries, produits de petite restauration ou pizzas.

Drawing